Tourist Route – Station 11

The traditional beliefs and practices of the First People were complex and were passed down to later generations through folk tales and songs. The beliefs mainly centered around a supreme creator or elements in nature such as the moon, belief in spirits and veneration of the dead, use of magic and traditional African veld medicine. Religion was mainly animistic with the role of humans seen as one of harmonising with the supernatural. Khoi and San people believed in a supreme being who presided over daily life and controlled environmental elements. Remnants of the practice of these first religions are found in the artefacts and rock art in the region.

The first Christian place of worship in southern Africa was a small chapel, erected in Mossel Bay in 1501 in thanksgiving by the seafarer Joao da Nova, near the ‘watering place’. The first settlers from the Cape Colony and Europe brought the traditional Christian denominations to Mossel Bay in the 19th century. In 1845 the first Dutch Reformed Church was built in George Road. The Anglicans followed in 1854, the Roman Catholics in 1868, while the Lutheran Berlin Mission grew from small beginnings in 1879 to a strong community in town. The Methodists established their church in 1903. The Volkskerk in Afrika has served the community since 1942. By 1950, the community hall of the Jehovah Witnesses was established. The strong Jewish community of business owners, lawyers and doctors built a synagogue in 1952.

The impact of religion on the development of Mossel Bay and its community is undeniable. By establishing their own schools and missions, the Dutch Reformed, Anglican, Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches played a founding role in the establishment of educational facilities in Mossel Bay.

Although the congregations worked together to develop and serve the Mossel Bay community, unconfirmed stories abound about a fierce rivalry between parishioners over which congregation had the highest church tower!

Proceed west along Marsh Street to Station 12 (420 m) which is located at the gates into Harry Giddey Park. You will pass several tourism related businesses, shops, restaurants, coffee shops, pubs, interior design, souvenirs, secondhand stores and historic buildings on both sides of Marsh Street; St Peter’s Anglican Church (1879), Lennon’s Ltd (1868 – first pharmacy), M. Braude & Co (1920 – art Deco), Cornwall House (1890).